Musical instrument

ABSTRACT

A musical instrument of the Xylophone type which includes a housing having a plurality of rotating wheels, each being mounted for independent rotation with respect to one another, and each including a pivotally connected striker which under the influence of centrifugal force extends radially outwardly to strike an adjacent tone bar. The respective wheels may be color or otherwise coded for use with a similarly coded song card so that a player can sequence the rotation of the respective wheels to sound the specified notes of a given song.

[451 May 7, 1974 MUSICAL INSTRUMENT [76] Inventor: John V. Joslyn,Bayview Ave., Sag

Harbor, L.I., NY. 11963 22 Filed: Feb. 5, 1973 [21] Appl'. No.: 329,436

Primary ExaminerRichard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-John F. GonzalesAttorney, Agent, or FirmArthur T. Fattibene 5 7] ABSTRACT A musicalinstrument of the Xylophone type which includes a housing having aplurality of rotating wheels, each being mounted for independentrotation with respect to one another, and each including a pivotallyconnected striker which under the influence of centrifugal force extendsradially outwardly to strike an adjacent tone bar. The respective wheelsmay be color or otherwise coded for use with a similarly coded song cardso that a player can sequence the rotation of the respective wheels tosound the specified notes of a 2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures [52] US. Cl.8 4/404 [51] Int. Cl. Gl0d 13/08 [58] Field of Search 84/404, 102, 95,98-101, 84/423 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,291,2021/1919 Siege] 1. 84/423 UX 2,541,143 2/1951 Zimmerman 3,455,051 7/1969Genin 84/95 X given Song FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 326,608 3/1930Great Britain 84/423 ,TL\- it 26 J 1 1 28 7 O I l 34A l 27 MUSICALINSTRUMENT PROBLEM AND PRIOR ART There are presently known numeroustypes of xylophone type musical devices which have been utilized eitherin toys or .musical instruments. Generally the known type of Xylophonetype musical device comprises essentially of a rotating drum havingprojecting fixed fingers or pins which upon rotation of the drum causesthe pins to effect the displacement of a hammer which in tu'm strikes atone bar. Such devices have been typically disclosed in US. Pat. Nos.3,651,731; 3,608,414; 3,456,543; 3,455,051; 2,812,680 and 1,547,183. Itis also known that the projecting pins or fingers of the rotating drumof such instruments may directly strike or impinge flexible tone bars asis common in the conventional music box movements or as evidenced in US.Pat. No. 2,770,159.

It has been observed that sound produced by the known xylophone typedevices, particularly when applied to toy devices, can be bestcharacterized as a series of pings or plunks having at best, a tin likering which often is not pleasing or pleasant, and for this reasonfrequently renders the recognition of a tune or song played therebydifficult, and frequently impossible.

OBJECTS It is an object of this invention to provide a musicalinstrument or toy of a Xylophone type which produces notes of long andpleasing duration.

Another object is to provide a Xylophone type instrument in which therespective notes can be repeatedly sounded to produce alternatingoverlapping melodious sounds which are more pleasing than those producedby the presently known constructions.

Another object is to provide a Xylophone type musical instrument whichincludes a series of independently rotated wheels having centrifugallyactuatedstrikers for repeatedly sounding the tone bars as the respectivewheels are independently rotated relative to the tone bar.

Another object is to provide a Xylophone type musical device applicablefor use as a musical toy which is safe and wherein the sharp parts arenot rendered accessible to a small child.

Another object is to provide a Xylophone type musical instrument inwhich the strikers can be readily coded to the notes of a given song sothat a person or young child without any musical training can readilyplay a given song.

Another object is to provide for a Xylophone type musical instrumentwhich can be played with the instrument held in any position.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects and other featuresand advantages are attained by a musical device which includes ahousingwhich has rotatably journalled thereon a plurality of rotatingmembers, each member being rotatably journalled so that each can bereadily rotated independently of one another at the will of a player.Each rotating member has pivotally connected thereto adjacent aperipheral portion thereof one or more strikers v which are each freeunder the influence of centrifugal force to extend radially outwardlybeyond the periphcry of its respective rotatable member when the memberis rotated.

Disposed within the housing and opposite the respective rotatablemembers are a plurality of tone bars. The respective tone bars arespaced from their associated rotatable member a, distance sufficient soas to be struck by the striker of the associated rotatable member whenthe striker'is extended under the influence of centrifugal force.

The invention further contemplates that the housing may be formed fordetachably receiving a song chart having indicia formed thereon torepresent the notes of a given song. The note indicia of the given songmay be coded to the respective rotatable members so that a small childor person having virtually no musical training can sequence the rotationof the rotatable member to sound the notes of the given song. Thearrangement of the component parts is suchthat anew and pleasing soundis produced which permits varying notes of long and overlapping soundsto be produced by the continued independent spinning of the respectiverotatable member, which enables the associated strikers to continue tostrike the respective tone bars at predetermined intervals. Aihandle-maybe provided to facilitate either the carrying or the supporting of themusical device.

FEATURES A feature of this invention resides in the provision of aXylophone type instrument which is relatively simple in construction,which can be economically fabricated and which is positive in operation.

Another feature resides in the provision of a novel Xylophone typemusical instrument construction which renders it particularly applicablefor use as a toy which is safe and easy to play.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision that theconstruction of the instrument renders it readily applicable for use asa serious musical instrument capable of one or more octaves."

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision that theconstruction when applied to use as a toy enables the sharp parts to besafely shielded so as to be rendered inaccessible to a small child.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings and specification in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a musical instrument embodyingthe present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the musical instrumentillustrated in FIG. 1, but shown in a different position of play.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view taken along line 33 on FIG. 2. v

FIG. 4 is a detailed side elevation view of the rotating member utilizedin the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross section view taken along line 55 on FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a song chart adapted for use with theembodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another modification of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and more specifically to FIGS. 1-5 there isillustrated therein a musical instrument 10 embodying the presentinvention. As best seen in FIGS. 1'-3, the musical instrument 10comprises a 3 base means formed to define an enclosure housing 11. Inthe illustrated form of invention the enclosure housing-11 is formed. ofa pair of complementary dishshaped housing members 12 and 13 arranged tocomplement one another in the assembled position. The upper housingsection 13 is formed with an opening 14.

In the assembled position, the complementary housing sections 12 and 13may be secured by any suitable means. For example, the juncture of therespective housing may be abutted or frictionally interfitted andsecured by suitable fastening means, as for example, screws, rivets 29and the like, or the respective housing may be suitably bonded oradhesively secured to define a unitaryhousing enclosure. A plurality ofrotatable members 15 in the form of wheels or drums is mounted forindependent rotation relative to one another within the housing 11adjacent the opening 14. As best seen in FIG. 3 opposed trunion members16 are suitably supported on the 'bottom 12A of the lower housingsection 13 for supporting therebetween an axle or'shaft 17 upon whichthe respective wheels or drums 15 are rotatably journalled forindependent rotation relative to one another in side by siderelationship. As best seen-in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the rotatingmembers 15 is slightly spaced from the next adjacent wheel or drum 15 topermit rotation of the respective members 15, to occur withoutinterfering with the rotation of the next adjacent wheel 15. While therespective rotating members 15 may be formed in any suitable manner, inthe illustrated embodiment the rotating members or wheels 15 are formedof complementary members 15A, 15A, each being similar in construction,and in the assembled position they are arranged so as to be disposed inback to back relationship, as best seen in FIG. 5.

Each of the similar complementary sections 15A, 15A includes .a hubportion 18, a laterally extending peripherial rim portion 19, and aninterconnecting plate or spoke portion 20. Also the respective wheelportions 15A, 15A is provided with complementary pin 21 and'hole 22; Thearrangement is such that by aligning the pins 21 of one section 15A withthe complementary holes 22 of theother section 15A, the respectivecomplementary wheel members 15A, 15A can be snapped or press-fittedtogether in back to back relae tionship to form a unitary wheel member15. The respective wheels 15 when assembled are supported on the axel17.

Each of the wheel assemblies 15 is provided with one or more recesses 23which are circumferentially spaced intermediate thereof. In theillustrated form of the invention, as seen in FIG. 4, the wheel assembly15A, 15A is provided with two recesses 23 which are oppositely disposed.Each of the recesses 23 is formed to open to the outer periphery of itsrespective wheel. Extending between the side walls 23A, 23A of therespective recesses 23 is a pin or projection 24 for retaining withinthe recess a hammer or striker means 25. As illustrated the striker 25comprises a member which is bent or formed at one end portion with'aloop 25A by which it is pivotally'secured about the recess pin 24, theother end 253 forming the portion to strike a tone bar 26, as will behereinafter described.

The arrangement-is such that the striker 25 is free to pivot about thepin 24. As best seen in FIGS. 1 to the recess 23 formed in therespective wheels-is sufficiently deep to house the clapper or strikerin a non-rotating position of the wheel. Upon. rotation of therespective wheels 15 the centrifugal force developed thereby causes thehammer or striker 25 to be readily extended so that the free end thereofextends beyond the periphery of the wheel 15.

Within the housing, and supported on the lower complementary sectionthereof is a support 27 on which a series of bars 26 are mounted. Thetone bars 26 are mounted in spaced relationship on the tone bar support27 by suitable support pins 28 which may include rubber mounts or-thelike. The arrangement of the tone bars 26 is. such that each'isoppositely disposed to one of the respective wheel means 15 at adistance sufficiently spaced therefrom so that the radially extendingstrikers 25 extending beyond the periphery of the associated rotatingmember, during the rotation thereof, will preferably strike the edgeportionof the oppositely disposed tone bar 26. In operation it will thusbe apparent that upon rotation of the respective wheel members 15, i.e.,by spinning the wheels 15 manually, will cause the associated strikerorhammer 25, due to centrifugal force, to swing-beyond the periphery ofthe wheel and continually strike the associated tone to produce a soundof long duration corresponding to the tone frequency of the associatedtone bar. It will be understood that the tone bars 26 may be formed tosound the notes of the musical scale. The arrangeent is such that thewheels 15 can be rotated in either directionto result in the striker 25striking the tone bars 26.

In the form of the ivention disclosed in FIGS. 1-5, the upper housingsection is formed with a recess portion 30 which is formed with opposedchannelshaped edges to form a slide track 31. Adapted to be detachablyreceived within the opposed slide tracks 31, the present inventioncontemplates the utilization in conjunction with the musical device, ofa song chart 32 having indicia 33 thereon to simulate musical notesarranged in a given melody or song. It is also contemplated that therespective notes indicia 33 be coded, as for example, by color, to therespective rotating members or wheels 15 corresponding to the given'note. The arrangement is such that a person with little or no musicalknowledge could effect the playing of the song of the song chart 32 byrotating the respective 'colored'wheels 15 in sequence according to thecolored coding of the notes 33 on the song chart.

To facilitate the playing and/or carrying of the musical instrumentdescribed a handle means 34 is provided. As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and3 the handle means 34 comprises a U-shaped member, the leg portions 34Aof which are pivotally secured to the opposed side portions of thehousing 11. The handle 34 can be readily pivoted to position it in acarrying position, or as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the handle means 34 maybe rotated to provide a stand or support for the instrument when placedin a horizontal position on a supporting surface. The handle 34 whenutilized as a support as seen in FIG. 2 permits the rear end of thehousing 11 to be elevated so as to permit better visibility of themusical chart 32 detachably positioned therein.

By providing a plurality of musical charts 34, each representing adifferent tune, it will be apparent that the charts 32 can be readilysubstituted one for another within'the track 31 provided so as to permitthe player With the construction described, it will be apparent that themusical instrument may be rendered readily applicable for use as amusical toy which is pleasing, amusing and safe for use by relativelyyoung children.

..However, while the instrument is readily applicable for use as amusical toy, it will be readily understood that the same constructionmay be readily applied to construct a serious musical instrument havingone or ciated tone bar 26 as the wheels rotate. Thus the sound producedresults in an overlapping of the respective musical sounds or noteswhich produces a most unusual and pleasing audio affect which had notheretofore been known with xylophone type sound bars. When ap plied to atoy, the instrument is absolutely safe as the moving parts are renderedinaccessible, except for the opening 14 to effect manual spinning of therespective rotating wheels 15.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the longitudinal edges 14A defining theopening 14 may be provided with opposed notched out portions 148 toaccommodate the respective strikers 25 when radially extended duringrotation of the wheel 15. Also the housing 11 may be provided withsuitable openings 35 formed therein to permit the sound to eminate outof the housing 11.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, eight rotating wheels are provided, one for each ofthe respective notes in the musical scale. However, it will beunderstood that the number of wheels 15 may vary so as to provide amusical instrument having more or less than one octave.

FIG. 7 illustrates a modified embodiment 40 of the invention. In thisform of the invention the musical instrument 40 is similar in allrespects to that hereinbeforedescribed, with the exception that thehousing 41 is formed with a fixed handle portion 42 formed integraltherewith and wherein only three rotating wheel members 43 are utilized.It will be understood that the wheel members 43 of FIG. 7 areconstructed similar to that described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 3.Also in the embodiment of FIG. 7, no provision is provided fordetachably securing a song chart thereto.

In all other respects the construction and operation of the embodimentof FIG. 7 is similar to that described with respect to FIGS. 1 to 5.

From the embodiments disclosed and described it will be apparent thatthe musical instrument can be played in any position. For example, themusical instrument 10 or 40 can be played by 'a person while it is beingheld by the handle, as for example, as seen in FIG. 1, or the musicaldevice 10 or 40 can be played when supported in a horizontal position asseen in FIGS. 2 and 7. The musical instrument can also be played whensupported in an overhead position as for example when utilized as a cribtoy.

While the present invention has been described with respect toparticular embodiments thereof it will be readily appreciated andunderstood that variations and modifications maybe made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1. A musical instrument comprising: a base means, aplurality of rotatable wheels, means for rotatably mounting said wheelson said base means for independent free wheeling rotation relative toone another, a tone bar disposed opposite each of said free wheelingrotatable wheels, a striker means pivotally connected to each of saidrotatable wheels, said striker means being free to pivot relative to itsrespective rotatable wheel to extend radially outwardly under theinfluence of centrifugal force to strike said tone bar opposite therotatable wheel when said wheel is rotated, each tone bar producing adistinctive overlapping of musical notes when repeatedly struck by thestriker means of the adjacent free wheeling rotatable member. 2. Amusical instrument comprising: a pair of complementary housing sections,means for securing said sections together to define a housing enclosure,one of said sections having an opening formed therein, a plurality ofrotating wheels, means for rotatably journallying said wheels so as tobe disposed in alignment with said opening whereby said wheels areinindependent free wheeling rotation with respect to one another, aplurality of tone bars disposed within said housing,

means for supporting said tone bars within said housing opposite each ofsaid independent free wheeling rotating wheel means,

each of said wheels having at least one recess formed therein whichopens to the periphery thereof,

a striker movably mounted to said wheel within said recess whereby saidstriker is free to extend radially outwardly of said recess under theinfluence of centrifugal force imparted thereto as said wheel is rotatedto strike said tone bar disposed opposite said wheel,

a song chart having indicia means thereon to represent notes of a givensong,

means for detachably securing said chart to said housing,

said wheels being coded to the indicia means whereby said wheels can beactuated in sequence to sound the notes of said song,

a handle means connected to said housing,

and means for pivoting said handle to said housing whereby said handlecan be pivoted between a carrying position, and a support position forsaid housing.

1. A musical instrument comprising: a base means, a plurality ofrotatable wheels, means for rotatably mounting said wheels on said basemeans for independent free wheeling rotation relative to one another, atone bar disposed opposite each of said free wheeling rotatable wheels,a striker means pivotally connected to each of said rotatable wheels,said striker means being free to pivot relative to its respectiverotatable wheel to extend radially outwardly under the influence ofcentrifugal force to strike said tone bar opposite the rotatable wheelwhen said wheel is rotated, each tone bar producing a distinctiveoverlapping of musical notes when repeatedly struck by the striker meansof the adjacent free wheeling rotatable member.
 2. A musical instrumentcomprising: a pair of complementary housing sections, means for securingsaid sections together to define a housing enclosure, one of saidsections having an opening formed therein, a plurality of rotatingwheels, means for rotatably journallying said wheels so as to bedisposed in alignment with said opening whereby said wheels are inindependent free wheeling rotation with respect to one another, aplurality of tone bars disposed within said housing, means forsupporting said tone bars within said housing opposite each of saidindependent free wheeling rotating wheel means, each of said wheelshaving at least one recess formed therein which opens to the peripherythereof, a striker movably mounted to said wheel within said recesswhereby said striker is free to extend radially outwardly of said recessunder the influence of centrifugal force imparted thereto as said wheelis rotated to strike said tone bar disposed opposite said wheel, a songchart having indicia means thereon to represent notes of a given song,means for detachably securing said chart to said housing, said wheelsbeing coded to the indicia means whereby said wheels can be actuated insequence to sound the notes of said song, a handle means connected tosaid housing, and means for pivoting said handle to said housing wherebysaid handle can be pivoted between a carrying position, and a supportposition for said housing.